A Northern Virginia Home Inspector's Perspective

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Home Inspector - Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - 3380-000723

ARCHIVED BLOG POSTS

2016 

It is most unusual to see a nest created by the Craftsman Crested Coo-Coo Coot.And especially in Virginia.  And to be honest, I don't know if I have yet seen one or not.Entering the garage I looked up at the garage door opener, and saw bird nesting material sticking out of the top and bottom of t...
06/29/2016
How to tell when a structure is not professionally done.This house had a very large addition added to the back.  The addition is supported by foundation walls on the exterior perimeter of the room, with two double Micro-laminate beams across the span.  Under the entire addition is a crawl space.W...
06/28/2016
During the phone call I heard, "The loft room is always warm - it won't cool, no matter what."They understood I have the ability to "see" insulation.  While that is not exactly true, Mighty Mo has the ability to distinguish warm from cool, and can "see" where insulation is and is not.So, we went ...
06/27/2016
A pre-drywall inspection is the only time to see this.A thermal camera can show where areas are not insulated or not insulated well.  But why find that out after the house is built?A pre-drywall inspection is the only time to see the house in a skeletal condition.  THAT is when the insulation sho...
06/26/2016
Walking through the house my clients found that the entry way chandelier had been replaced with this.It is not unusual for an appliance or light fixture to have a note on it that says it will be replaced with something else.  It might have been a special gift, or expensive, and the sellers want t...
06/24/2016
A garage wall is still an exterior wall.And, as such, if it abuts the house, it needs to be insulated!  Remember the 5% Rule!On a new construction inspection I noticed something interesting.  The room adjoining the kitchen and garage was very warm.The area in this photo is in the garage attic spa...
06/22/2016
This is an electrical "repair" you will not believe.This is so disheartening.  What good is a license in a trade if it is demonstrated over and over that it means nothing?  In recent years my problem with the trades is the absolute disappearance of professionalism.  I could point to many reasons ...
06/21/2016
Sneaky, just not sneaky enough.Some sellers who move out of the house and have it painted and nice leave the place looking nice. And some sellers do things to try to hide problems that are being pushed off onto someone else.  When I see sneaky in one spot, I suspect sneaky elsewhere.In the corner...
06/20/2016
If you invite water in, it will come and stay.Water must be controlled.  Water can be THE KILLER of houses.The damage happens slowly and insidiously.  And if changes are not made the damage will become extensive.Flashing is present here but insufficiently applied.A special form of flashing is mis...
06/19/2016
If you invite water in, water will come and stay.Water must be controlled.  Water can be THE KILLER of houses.The damage happens slowly and insidiously.  And if changes are not made the damage will become extensive.Flashing is present here but insufficiently applied.A special form of flashing is ...
06/19/2016
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Jay Markanich

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia
local_phone(703) 330-6388
smartphone(703) 585-7560
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An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.